Raiders DST comes up short again

(12/30/12) The Raiders DST surrendered 24 points on 210 yards of offense in Week 17 against the Chargers. The unit surrendered just 140 passing yards, albeit Philip Rivers still threw a pair of touchdowns in the 24-21 win. Oakland did a good job limiting San Diego's run game but the unit failed to force a turnover and only collected two sacks in the defeat.

Raiders DST looking to end strong

(12/28/12) The Raiders DST will be looking to slow down Philip Rivers and the Chargers in Week 17. San Diego enters the contest ranked 29th in total offense, allowing an average of 303.1 yards and 21.7 points per game. The Raiders are ranked 29th, in terms of Fantasy points, after racking up 23 sacks and forcing 19 turnovers on the year. The unit has not produced a touchdown this season.

Raiders DST looking to end strong

(12/28/12) The Raiders DST will be looking to slow down Philip Rivers and the Chargers in Week 17. San Diego enters the contest ranked 29th in total offense, allowing an average of 303.1 yards and 21.7 points per game. The Raiders are ranked 29th, in terms of Fantasy points, after racking up 23 sacks and forcing 19 turnovers on the year. The unit has not produced a touchdown this season.

Raiders hold their own

(12/23/12) Oaklands defense had a decent performance in Week 16 against the Panthers, despite losing, 17-6. The Raiders limited the Panthers to just 271 yards of total offense while forcing two turnovers, however their own offense was unable to lift them up in the game. The Raiders sacked Panthers quarterback Cam Newton twice in the game as well, while intercepting him once.

Another shutout unlikely for OAK

(12/20/12) The Raiders defense had its best performance of the season Week 15 by shutting out the Chiefs. Although, it will be tough for them to record back-to-back shutouts with the red-hot Panthers next on the schedule Week 16. Quarterback Cam Newton has led the Panthers on a late-season surge, winning three of their last four games and averaging 26.6 points in their last five games. "He's really improved (in his decision making)," Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski said of Newton, per The Charlotte Observer. "I've talked about Cam improving and that's one area: not taking sacks, getting rid of the ball, checking it down, getting it to a second read. Those are the things quarterbacks do that can keep drives alive minimize negative plays or not trying to force the ball and throw an interception. You're stringing the plays together."